iO is a small press and a bi-annual electronic journal of new American poetry. We don't subscribe to a particular theme or aesthetic, rather we publish top-quality work across a range of styles. In the spirit of serving younger poets, we feature up-and-coming voices alongside established authors in each issue. Our mission is to join the conversation which provides exposure to the traditionally less visible art form of poetry.

MIKE KRUTEL

The burn around my face completing.
How I control the weather after a darkness,
increasing pressure, kites a solid beer into my waiting
and caliber skull. It is fine to say a little halleluiah,
big dance of sand and specks against those people,
the ones with soft and danger
lodged within bright receptors. Patterned,
I am marching with song, no hymn,
just bulging human touch.

IN DEFENSE OF EVERYTHING

You sailed away a happy man. You could name
many diseases. It was a Sunday,
and we had it in mind that we were doing serious things
about people and their not-serious ways.

What were we doing in the closet
of our youth? Calling each other “dick-face”
with the hope to never be found out
for the scrapped machinery we were?

Like, right now, I keep adjusting this manual.
I never feel ready to cut the grass or take a pill.
You led away with a mind of alternative
compensations for happiness. What a trick!

“Who cares,” said a great
audience member, “We’re all so busy writing
these letters to god.”